Timid Inquiries from a Third-Time Prospective Newbie

[Ulto Leif]

This marks the third time that I have come to attempt to get into playing PlaneShift. The first time I was naive and disappointed by the lack of shiny graphics. The second time it was the emptiness and frustration; I was confronted by what seemed to be a vast, lonely expanse in which I found almost nobody, spoke with no-one, and then died (from fall damage, I seem to recall, and thereafter I failed utterly to regain the surface).

I am hoping that, as I set out a third time, I will actually get the chance to meet with and interact with the community here in game; the prospect of an MMO server that genuinely believes in roleplaying remains enticing, and unfortunately, insofar as I can tell, unprecedented elsewhere. But how exactly should I start out in PlaneShift, so as to be able to meet people and, hopefully, enjoy the game? Is technical character advancement (the gaining of stats, spells, etc.) something I should first focus on, or is it recommended to seek out other players immediately? (I realize some of this may be a matter of preference, but nonetheless, I seek guidance.)

...on a completely unrelated note, is one expected to have studied the game's background and lore before playing? And if so, to what degree?

[novacadian]

A browse through the Wiki may be a good starting point. You will even find a Player's Guide. You can find other guides as well. If your thirsty for more just drop back and let me know.

- Nova

[LigH]

I'll start with a "Welcome" here, and hope to continue with another in Yliakum...

[Aramara Meibi]

the prospect of an MMO server that genuinely believes in roleplaying remains enticing, and unfortunately, insofar as I can tell, unprecedented elsewhere.

I want to take this sentence, bake it into a pie, and throw it at certain peoples' face.

[Ulto Leif]

Thank you. That wasn't exactly what I was looking for, but it appears it may be what I needed nonetheless.

Incidentally, would it be a disastrous cliché to abuse an amnesiac character as an excuse for skipping on reading the lore? (There seems to be quite a lot of it, so the temptation is pressing.)

the prospect of an MMO server that genuinely believes in roleplaying remains enticing, and unfortunately, insofar as I can tell, unprecedented elsewhere.

I want to take this sentence, bake it into a pie, and throw it at certain peoples' face.

At the moment, my sentiments on the matter frequently have gone a bit beyond the gravity of pies. I should want something heavier, and possibly even more lethal.

[Chessire]

Seeking out other players is the only thing you really need to do. But since Yliakum has an unusual form as a world you should also read the "Setting Overview" and if you want the "Races" and "History" on the main page of the website. Some information there is outdated but you should get a good general idea. Another thing is thinking of a small story about your character and eventually making a description. The ingame world is going to change a lot about your character eventually, but having something to start will be convenient. And a description helps other people a lot when interacting with you
About stats and skills you can raise them if you like but they are not nesessary imo. Some will not accept you roleplaying skills you don't have actually trained but others will, especially if they re fun In general, give your character both good points and flaws, if you try to roleplay your character as an ultimately powerful hero noone will accept it even if you had maxed all your skills and stats.

[Dau]

Incidentally, would it be a disastrous cliché to abuse an amnesiac character as an excuse for skipping on reading the lore? (There seems to be quite a lot of it, so the temptation is pressing.)

There is a lot of lore, and most of it is buried within quests, dev posts, scattered in-game books, etc., instead of neatly collected where RPers can easily access it.   Amnesia isn't the worst trope abuse, but if you're self-conscious about not knowing lots of lore I'd suggest playing someone who has a different reason for ignorance, like an isolated upbringing or a peasant one.

[bilbous]

if you want to actually see people it would be better not to play on the EZPC non-role play server. The main server is listed first and has the most people. Don't get fooled by ping time.

This will let you know who is one the main server (zeroping) and how many.

[Ulto Leif]

Ah, these posts are informative. Thank you.

Well, once I can get the blasted client to stop cat-fighting with my OS, I'm sure it will be an experience. (For those who are curious, beloved Windows is complaining that PlaneShift is trying to access un-allocated memory every three minutes or so, and shooting it down. It might only be in the character creation segment, though. I could tell Windows to ignore it, but since I suspect Windows is right and I don't fancy playing darts with my active RAM... Well. Trying linux version now.)

if you want to actually see people it would be better not to play on the EZPC non-role play server. The main server is listed first and has the most people. Don't get fooled by ping time.

This will let you know who is one the main server (zeroping) and how many.

Don't worry, I'm not that foolish. Besides, what earth would possess me to play on the non-RP server? No offense, but if I was going to go play an MMO without engaging any imagination on my own part, I'd instead be playing something much shinier and modern, like those fancy Korean grind-fests, with bright colours and a chat panel filled with truely creative prose along the lines of "need hlz / party 4 mid-lvl boss". Not to say that there's anything wrong with those games, but that's not what I'm looking for here.

Ah, thank you for the link, though.

[weltall]

if it was a real access outside the areas given by the operating system it would stop it without allowing you to ignore it.

[Aramara Meibi]

Don't worry, I'm not that foolish. Besides, what earth would possess me to play on the non-RP server? No offense, but if I was going to go play an MMO without engaging any imagination on my own part, I'd instead be playing something much shinier and modern, like those fancy Korean grind-fests, with bright colours and a chat panel filled with truely creative prose along the lines of "need hlz / party 4 mid-lvl boss". Not to say that there's anything wrong with those games, but that's not what I'm looking for here.

I think you are exactly the type of player that THE PLAYER COMMUNITY wants to join our game. You obviously won't be distracted by the unfinished state and quality of the game. You obviously don't need high quality shaders and bloom to enjoy the game, nor an endless array of fetch quests to feel at home. You obviously won't feel perturbed if your chosen race is missing it's character model. You obviously are here for great characters and storytelling. I welcome you. I hope to meet you ingame.

my advice to you is this, read as much of the background and general knowledge of the world and at least your chosen race. Since the developed game is centered around the Hydlaa area, it's easy to play your character as newly arriving to town from some distant level. Have a good idea of who your character is, their alignment, moral code, ideals, dreams, etc. and begin from there. let the world and your character's experiences in it shape your character. observe how other people RP and portray their characters, play with and develop your own style of RP.

don't be a mary sue or godmodder, it's probably best to play according to your skills. a well rounded, dynamic character will go far, but you probably already know that. also enjoyable are deconstructions of flat static characters, or recognizable character types.

you can do what I do and devour this entire website: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HomePage for plot and character ideas. Happy RP and welcome!

[LigH]

... Besides, what earth would possess me to play on the non-RP server? No offense, but if I was going to go play an MMO without engaging any imagination on my own part, I'd instead be playing something much shinier and modern, like those fancy Korean grind-fests, with bright colours and a chat panel filled with truely creative prose along the lines of "need hlz / party 4 mid-lvl boss"...

Then you are probably right here.

We don't have single unique "boss monsters". ... Hmm, well, except, maybe ... Trepor Queens?

Well, we have challenging opponents in groups/herds (even as AI tribes), if you are looking for a hunt. But at least on the roleplaying server, you would have to look for a party as in-character as possible: Standing at a public place and announcing verbally (shouting or using the "Auction" channel) that you are looking for hunters, or putting posters at the billboards. Leetspeak (LOL etc.) is not allowed in in-character channels on the RP server. And joining the "Gossip" message channel automatically can be disabled.

May I assume that your char is called "Ulto Leif" too?

By the way, you may find interesting: [A post for RPers to find Rpers]

[provisionist1]

Welcome Ulto Leif!

Generally my take on PlaneShift is that (despite the cliché) it is what you make it, and I'm glad you enjoy the prospect of the RP! I can't stand the pure hack & slash of many other MMOs, and while there is some of that here, generally it is for training and levelling-up purposes (the current balance means you will have to kill monsters to get enough progression points to train, even if you are interested only in smithing or cooking or fishing or something peaceful).

As for it being a lonely world- you need to seek out other players, and introduce yourself politely (and if you intend on playing an evil character, that's great, but gentlemanly evil works better than annoying evil). You may find a guild to join and make in-game friends that way. The best places to hang around and talk to others in the early stages of the game are at the blacksmith shops (Harnquist in Hydlaa or Trasok in Ojaveda), or at Levrus' magic shop.

Personally, I'd try a bit of both interaction with others, and doing the first sets of quests and some training. If you find others to help you train and give you hints with quests though, you will find it more enjoyable and much faster. Exploring is fun too (I've been playing off and on for a while, and only yesterday discovered one of the cave systems!), but be careful of the steep slopes, they can kill a new player. As a general rule- if the slope is green, you can probably run down it safely.

Hope to see you in-game!

Xirius

------------- On an unrelated note:

Well, once I can get the blasted client to stop cat-fighting with my OS, I'm sure it will be an experience. (For those who are curious, beloved Windows is complaining that PlaneShift is trying to access un-allocated memory every three minutes or so, and shooting it down. It might only be in the character creation segment, though. I could tell Windows to ignore it, but since I suspect Windows is right and I don't fancy playing darts with my active RAM... Well. Trying linux version now.)

Interesting that the mac client seems the easiest to set up now... twas not always the case! Many many thanks to whomever does the OS X coding!

[novacadian]

(the current balance means you will have to kill monsters to get enough progression points to train, even if you are interested only in smithing or cooking or fishing or something peaceful).

My alt has never killed a monster. He earns enough pps at the furnace to train in all his areas of interest.

- Nova

[Sadie]

I also welcome you to PS. 

Another idea: maybe go slow (er) in setting up your character description.... give yourself time to talk with players, explore around a bit (Kada El's tavern is good too)....   And watch those cliffs !!!! (Just don't go down them for a while.)

And most important, I humbly think, have fun!!

Sanrai